9806830

Semiconductor Device, Radio Communication Device, and Control Method for Radio Communication Device

PublishedOctober 31, 2017
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
20 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A semiconductor device, comprising: a receiving unit that receives a radio signal; a received signal strength measurement unit that measures a received signal strength of the received radio signal; a threshold comparison unit that compares the measured received signal strength with a threshold; a demodulation unit that demodulates the received radio signal based on a result of the comparison; and a threshold setting unit that sets the threshold according to the measured received signal strength, wherein the measured received signal strength at is input to the threshold setting unit is a same as the measured received signal strength that is input to the threshold comparison unit.

Plain English Translation

A semiconductor device reduces power consumption by adapting demodulation based on signal strength. It includes a receiver for radio signals, a unit that measures the received signal strength (RSS), a comparator that compares the RSS to a threshold, and a demodulator that demodulates the signal based on this comparison. Crucially, a threshold setting unit dynamically adjusts the threshold based on the measured RSS. The RSS fed into the threshold setting unit and the comparator is the same value.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein the threshold setting unit sets the threshold based on a distance corresponding to the received signal strength.

Plain English Translation

The semiconductor device, which adapts demodulation based on signal strength, dynamically sets the threshold by the threshold setting unit based on a distance that is related to the received signal strength. This distance might represent physical proximity to the signal source or other signal propagation characteristics influencing signal strength.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , further comprising a storage unit that stores a threshold table for associating the received signal strength with the threshold, wherein the threshold setting unit refers to the threshold table and sets the threshold corresponding to the received signal strength.

Plain English Translation

The semiconductor device adapts demodulation based on signal strength and uses a lookup table to determine the threshold. A storage unit holds a threshold table, which associates specific RSS values with corresponding threshold values. The threshold setting unit consults this table, using the measured RSS to look up and set the appropriate threshold for the comparator. This allows for discrete threshold levels based on distinct signal strength bands.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein, when there is no error in a demodulation result, the threshold setting unit sets the threshold according to the received signal strength.

Plain English Translation

The semiconductor device adapts demodulation based on signal strength and refines threshold settings based on demodulation success. The threshold setting unit adjusts the threshold according to the measured RSS only when the demodulation is error-free. If demodulation errors occur, the threshold setting unit won't update threshold, maintaining its current value.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein the threshold setting unit sets the threshold based on a result of a comparison between a setting determination threshold and the received signal strength, the setting determination threshold being used for setting the threshold.

Plain English Translation

The semiconductor device adapts demodulation based on signal strength, and the threshold setting unit adjusts the threshold by comparing the RSS to a "setting determination threshold." This setting determination threshold acts as a decision point for selecting different threshold setting strategies.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The semiconductor device according to claim 5 , wherein the threshold setting unit sets a first threshold to the threshold when the received signal strength is smaller than the setting determination threshold and sets a second threshold to the threshold when the received signal strength is larger than the setting determination threshold, the second threshold being larger than the first threshold.

Plain English Translation

The semiconductor device adapts demodulation based on signal strength, employing a setting determination threshold to select between two threshold levels. If the RSS is lower than the setting determination threshold, the threshold setting unit sets a lower (first) threshold. If the RSS is higher, it sets a higher (second) threshold. This implements hysteresis in the threshold selection, helping to avoid rapid threshold switching due to small signal strength fluctuations.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein the threshold setting unit sets the threshold based on a received signal state corresponding to the received signal strength.

Plain English Translation

The semiconductor device adapts demodulation based on signal strength and adjusts the threshold based on the received signal state, which corresponds to different ranges of RSS values. The threshold setting unit sets the threshold based on the specific signal state determined by the RSS. This allows for different threshold setting strategies depending on signal conditions.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The semiconductor device according to claim 7 , wherein, when the received signal strength meets a state transition condition corresponding to the received signal state, the threshold setting unit changes its state to the received signal state and sets the threshold according to the changed received signal state.

Plain English Translation

The semiconductor device adapts demodulation based on signal strength, transitioning between signal states to adjust the threshold. The threshold setting unit changes its state to a new received signal state when the current RSS meets a state transition condition. The threshold is then set according to this new state. This introduces hysteresis and memory into the threshold adaptation process.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The semiconductor device according to claim 8 , wherein the state transition condition includes a condition for determining the number of receptions of radio signals having a predetermined received signal strength.

Plain English Translation

In the semiconductor device adapting demodulation based on signal strength, the state transition between signal states, which adjusts the threshold, depends on the number of received signals with a particular RSS. The state transition condition includes a requirement related to the number of times radio signals with a specific RSS have been received. This prevents transient signals from immediately triggering a state change.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The semiconductor device according to claim 8 , wherein, when a first state transition condition is met, the threshold setting unit changes its state from a first received signal state to a second received signal state, and wherein, when a second state transition condition is met, the threshold setting unit changes its state from the second received signal state to the first received signal state, the second state transition condition being different from the first state transition condition.

Plain English Translation

The semiconductor device adapts demodulation based on signal strength and switches between signal states based on different conditions. The threshold setting unit changes from a first received signal state to a second when a first state transition condition is met. Conversely, it changes from the second state back to the first when a different, second state transition condition is met. This implements hysteresis in the state transitions, preventing rapid oscillations between states.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , further comprising a reception gain setting unit that sets a reception gain of the receiving unit according to the measured received signal strength.

Plain English Translation

The semiconductor device adapts demodulation based on signal strength and adjusts receiver gain based on the RSS. A reception gain setting unit sets the receiving unit's gain according to the measured RSS. This can improve signal quality and dynamic range.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits a radio signal according to transmission data; and a transmission power setting unit that sets transmission power of the transmitting unit according to the measured received signal strength.

Plain English Translation

The semiconductor device adapts demodulation based on signal strength, also adjusting transmission power based on the RSS. It includes a transmitter for sending radio signals and a transmission power setting unit that sets the transmitter's power according to the measured RSS. This optimizes power usage for both receiving and transmitting.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. A radio communication device, comprising: an antenna; a receiving unit that receives a radio signal through the antenna; a received signal strength measurement unit that measures a received signal strength of the received radio signal; a threshold comparison unit that compares the measured received signal strength with a threshold; a demodulation unit that demodulates the received radio signal based on a result of the comparison; and a threshold setting unit that sets the threshold according to the measured received signal strength, wherein the measured received signal strength that is input to the threshold setting unit is a same as the measured received signal strength that is input to the threshold comparison unit.

Plain English Translation

A radio communication device reduces power consumption by adapting demodulation based on signal strength. It includes an antenna, a receiver for radio signals, a unit that measures the received signal strength (RSS), a comparator that compares the RSS to a threshold, and a demodulator that demodulates the signal based on this comparison. Crucially, a threshold setting unit dynamically adjusts the threshold based on the measured RSS. The RSS fed into the threshold setting unit and the comparator is the same value.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. A method for controlling a radio communication device including an antenna, the method comprising: receiving a radio signal through the antenna; measuring a received signal strength of the received radio signal; comparing the measured received signal strength with a threshold; demodulating the received radio signal based on a result of the comparison; and setting the threshold according to the measured received signal strength, wherein the measured received signal strength that is used in the setting the threshold is a same as the measured receive signal strength that is used in the comparing the measured received signal strength with the threshold.

Plain English Translation

A method for controlling a radio communication device adapts demodulation based on signal strength. It involves receiving a radio signal, measuring the RSS, comparing the RSS to a threshold, and demodulating the signal based on the result of this comparison. The key step is setting the threshold according to the measured RSS, using the same RSS value for both threshold setting and comparison.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein the received signal strength measurement unit sends the same measured received signal strength to the threshold setting unit and to the threshold comparison unit.

Plain English Translation

The semiconductor device adapts demodulation based on signal strength, and the RSS measurement unit sends the *identical* measured RSS value to both the threshold setting unit and the threshold comparison unit. This ensures consistency in the RSS data used for both threshold adjustment and signal comparison.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein the received signal strength measurement unit directly sends the same measured received signal strength to the threshold setting unit and to the threshold comparison unit.

Plain English Translation

The semiconductor device adapts demodulation based on signal strength, and the RSS measurement unit *directly* sends the measured RSS value to both the threshold setting unit and the threshold comparison unit, implying a dedicated connection or signal path, further ensuring that both use the same RSS data.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein, when there is no error in a demodulation result, the threshold setting unit sets the threshold according to the measured received signal strength, and wherein, when there is the error in the demodulation result, the threshold setting unit maintains a current threshold.

Plain English Translation

The semiconductor device adapts demodulation based on signal strength and adjusts threshold settings based on demodulation success. When the demodulation is error-free, the threshold setting unit updates the threshold based on the RSS. However, if demodulation errors occur, the threshold setting unit *maintains the current threshold* rather than updating it.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The radio communication device according to claim 13 , wherein the received signal strength measurement unit sends the same measured received signal strength to the threshold setting unit and to the threshold comparison unit.

Plain English Translation

The radio communication device adapts demodulation based on signal strength, and the RSS measurement unit sends the *identical* measured RSS value to both the threshold setting unit and the threshold comparison unit. This ensures consistency in the RSS data used for both threshold adjustment and signal comparison.

Claim 19

Original Legal Text

19. The radio communication device according to claim 13 , wherein the received signal strength measurement unit directly sends the same measured received signal strength to the threshold setting unit and to the threshold comparison unit.

Plain English Translation

The radio communication device adapts demodulation based on signal strength, and the RSS measurement unit *directly* sends the measured RSS value to both the threshold setting unit and the threshold comparison unit, implying a dedicated connection or signal path, further ensuring that both use the same RSS data.

Claim 20

Original Legal Text

20. The radio communication device according to claim 13 , wherein, when there is no error in a demodulation result, the threshold setting unit sets the threshold according to the measured received signal strength, and wherein, when there is the error in the demodulation result, the threshold setting unit maintains a current threshold.

Plain English Translation

The radio communication device adapts demodulation based on signal strength and adjusts threshold settings based on demodulation success. When the demodulation is error-free, the threshold setting unit updates the threshold based on the RSS. However, if demodulation errors occur, the threshold setting unit *maintains the current threshold* rather than updating it.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

October 31, 2017

Inventors

Tatsuhito SAITOU

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Cite as: Patentable. “SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, RADIO COMMUNICATION DEVICE, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR RADIO COMMUNICATION DEVICE” (9806830). https://patentable.app/patents/9806830

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